International Relations Department News

"... there is an emerging dimension to the U.S.-China conflict which has worrisome echoes of that earlier [U.S.-Russia] conflict — the growing division of the world into two technological blocs, each of which seeks autonomy and self-sufficiency and strives to limit the other's access to its advanced know-how," says James Steinberg. His article, "US versus China -- a technology Cold War?," was published in Nikkei Asian Review.

The Syracuse University-Maxwell School Model United Nations team was named a “Distinguished Delegation” for its portrayal of the the Arab Republic of Egypt at the National Model United Nations conference held November 9-11, 2018, in Washington, DC. Thirteen students majoring in international relations participated as delegates in the academic conference.

Dina Eldawy, an international relations and CCE student, has been named a 2019 recipient of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. She is the second Marshall Scholar in Syracuse University history. Funded by the British government, the Marshall Scholarship finances outstanding American students to study in the United Kingdom.

In recognition of her "service, dedication, and commitment," Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was awarded the 2018 James Duah-Agyeman Award for Faculty from the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Syracuse University.

While at Syracuse University, Yaqi Kang '18 BA (Econ/IR) embraced her role as an active representative of the Chinese student community. She worked as a mentor at the Slutzker Center for International Services and was a representative on the Internationalization Council. “Every student is a part of the community, and we all have the responsibility to make our community better,” says Kang.

Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of National Model United Nations (NMUN). D'Amico previously served as a member of the NY Advisory Group of NMUN and is currently a member of the DC Advisory Group until her term ends in November.

Luke Chadwick, a senior majoring in economics and international relations, and Sara Schleicher, a senior majoring in political science, were selected to participate in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program. Chizobam Nwagwu, a senior majoring in policy studies, was selected to receive a Fulbright research grant.

Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee has chosen the 35 students who will be the 2018-19 Remembrance Scholars. The scholarships were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Jade Rhoads, a senior majoring in geography and minoring in global security studies, has been named a 2018 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellow. She is one of only 30 recipients chosen from hundreds of applicants from more than 200 colleges and universities around the nation.

Tom Perreault, professor of geography, was named a 2018-21 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, and Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, was given the Meredith Teaching Recognition Award at a ceremony on Friday, April 20, at 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Dina Eldawy, an international relations and citizenship and civic engagement major, and Crystal Letona, a policy studies major, have been named as 2018 recipients of the prestigious Truman Scholarship. The scholarship was awarded to 59 exceptional college juniors in recognition of their community service, academic accomplishment, and commitment to a career of public service.

A Syracuse University/Maxwell team participating in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in March was named a “Distinguished Delegation” for its portrayal of Poland. The conference, held in New York City, drew more than 5,000 students, more than half from outside the United States.

Caitlin Harrison and Jacqueline Page, both international relations majors at the Maxwell School, were among the twelve seniors named as the 2018 Syracuse University Scholars, the highest undergraduate honor that the University bestows. The scholars will also be honored at the One University awards ceremony on Friday, April 20, at Hendricks Chapel.

"What Ails Mexican Democracy," written by Gladys McCormick, associate professor of history, and Matthew Cleary, associate professor of political science, was published in Foreign Affairs. McCormick and Cleary say "public support for democratic institutions is low, and faith in the democratic process is waning."

Dina Eldawy, an international relations and citizenship and civic engagement major; and Crystal Letona, a policy studies and communications and rhetorical studies major, have been named as 2018 finalists for the Truman Scholarship. The Truman Scholarship is awarded in recognition of community service, academic accomplishment and commitment to a career of public service.

The Winter 2018 edition of Maxwell Perspective was recently printed and mailed to all alumni, faculty, staff, students, and other friends of the Maxwell School. At the same time, online editions of many of the articles are now available at the Maxwell Perspective website.

The dean of the Maxwell School has appointed Francine D’Amico to the position of teaching professor in the International Relations Program. The promotion recognizes D’Amico’s accomplishments in teaching, advising, service, and curricular and co-curricular development since joining the Maxwell School in 2000.

William Banks was a guest on Bloomberg Radio's Politics, Policy, Power and Law for the segment, "House Republicans Launch New Attacks Against FBI." Banks discusses attacks by House Republicans against the FBI and the Russia investigation as GOP lawmakers try to prepare the party for the 2018 midterm elections.

A semester and a summer abroad with SU Abroad and two highly competitive national awards—a Fulbright and a Boren Scholarship—have kept Frederick "Rick" Cieri '17 BA (IR) exploring and learning abroad for the better part of the last three years.

"Action Anthropology in a Free Clinic," co-authored by Robert Rubinstein, examines the health literacy and life history of patients at a free clinic in Syracuse, NY. The study, published in Human Organization, the journal of the Society for Applied Anthropology, provides information for policymakers in light of the present challenges to the Affordable Care Act.

Cameron MacPherson ’16 BA (IR) has been named a recipient of the prestigious George J. Mitchell Scholarship for graduate study in Ireland. He is Syracuse University’s first Mitchell Scholar. MacPherson is one of only 12 U.S. students selected from more than 300 applicants for the award this year.

Giovanna Saccoccio is a senior majoring in international relations. Last spring, she earned a prestigious Critical Language Scholarship that allowed her to study Turkish intensively through an immersive experience abroad in Azerbaijan this past summer.

A Syracuse University/Maxwell team participating in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference earlier this month was named a “Distinguished Delegation” for its portrayal of the Republic of Finland/Suomi. The conference, held in Washington, D.C., drew more than 1,000 college and university students from across the U.S. and nine other nations.

Ana Monzon, a graduate student in public diplomacy, Jade Rhoads, a junior majoring in geography, and Giovanna Saccoccio, a junior majoring in international relations, were selected as recipients of the Critical Language Scholarship. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of State.

Eric Heighberger '93 BA (IR) has been appointed to serve as the chief of staff for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Heighberger has held several positions with FEMA, including deputy director for legislative affairs during the George W. Bush Administration.

Francine D'Amico, associate professor of international affairs, served on the National Screening Committee for the Fulbright-Clinton Public Policy Fellowship 2017-2018 offered through the Institute of International Education.

The 2016-17 Convocation for Remembrance Scholars, honoring 35 outstanding students from this year’s senior class, many of whom are Maxwell scholars, will be held Friday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) has recognized Robert A. Rubinstein for his research and advocacy on peace and human rights by naming him recipient of the 2016 Victor Sidel and Barry Levy Award for Peace. Rubinstein will receive the award Nov. 1 during APHA’s 2016 Annual Meeting and Expo in Denver.

Frederick (Rick) Cieri '17, an undergrad student majoring in international relations, received a 2016 Boren Scholarship to study in Brazil. Rick is spotlighted in the article, "Relishing the Global Classroom."